18. Brother Samuel J. Mills and his company left us. Our prayer and our hope is, that God will perfect his work of grace, and render this brother a bright luminary, in that dark region where he lives. Being ready to depart, father Hoyt asked if he could wait for two prayers, and offer one himself? He said he could, for all his happiness consisted in praying and thinking of God. The Rev. Mr. Morrison, a clergyman from Tennessee, arrived. He had intended being here at examination; but not knowing the exact time, he was too late. 24. The Rev. Dr. Coffin, President of Greenville College, Tenn. the Rev. Isaac Anderson and wife, and Mrs. Rawlings arrived. They expressed much regret at not being able to be here before vacation. 25. Our visiting friends left us, having an appointment for preaching on the other side of the river this evening. Their visit has been truly refreshing and profitable to us. Nov. 6. This day the school commerced, after a vacation of three weeks. We are pleased to find the children more punctual than ever before on a similar occasion. PALESTINE MISSION. IN our number for September, we gave an outline of Mr. Parsons's voyage and journey from Smyrna to Jerusalem, as furnished by letters which had been received from him. Lately his journal has come to hand, embracing the period from Dec. 5, 1820, to May last, and containing a particular account of his travels, and his residence at Jerusalem, during || three months, from February to May. Some notices of his journey, in addition to those heretofore given, will be interesting. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. PARSONS. as in several other languages, I have with me Testaments, together with several thousand tracts for gratuitous distribution. Brother Fisk, with a friend from the city, accompanied me to the vessel, and before separating we enjoyed an uncommonly interesting season of divineworship. Agreeably to our expectations we set sail in the night, and the next day came to an anchor off Voula, for the purpose of taking in more pilgrims. While we tarried, I read from the Greek Testament to the pilgrims; and a young man present read part of a chap. ter in an Arabic copy of the epistle to the Hebrews. After this, two boys came into my cabin and read from a Greek tract. As I presented each of them with a tract, I spoke to them of the final retribution;-of the rewards of the righteous, and of the punishment in reserve for the ungodly. They engaged to read the books attentively. On the morning of the 8th the cold became quite uncomfortable. The mountains in the vicinity of Smyrna were white with snow. At 10 o'clock the pilgrims came on board, and we set sail with a favorable wind. In two hours the main-sail was torn by the violence of the wind, which obliged us to cast anchor and remain for the day. At Scio, Mr. Parsons called on Professor Bambas. The most important facts, relative to this interview, have been published. The following anecdote illustrates the manners of the country. I took supper with Professor Bambas, rice and a dove. Before eating he repeated the Lord's prayer in Greek, and afterwards inquired if this was the custom in America. This gave me an opportunity to speak of the religious customs of New England, of family prayer, religious conferences, and of revivals of religion. Between Samos and the continent the vessel was arrested by head winds for several days. HAVING engaged a passage in a Greek vessel bound to Jaffa with pilgrims, I left Smyrna on the evening of December 5th, expecting to sail in the course Much of the intervening time was of the night. I found on board the ves- devoted to the reading of the New sel about 20 pilgrims, 12 sailors, and Testament in Greek. I had observed three Turks. But even in this small for several days, an Armenian pilgrim, assembly were spoken no less than five whose dress and manners gave him a different languages; Arabic, Turkish, decided superiority to those around Greek, Italian, and, to include my in- him, sitting alone, and disposed to assoterpreter, English. In these, as wellciate with no one in the vessel. I in quired, through the assistance of a friend of his, if he read and understood the Armenian language. He assured me that he did. I then presented him with an Armenian Testament, and as it was put into his hands he bowed and kissed the sacred treasure. He began to read it aloud to those who could understand, and during several days this was his constant employment. Passed the isle of Patmos Dec. 18th at a considerable distance, but within a distinct view of the monastery, which stands over the grave of St. John, the beloved disciple. As we were passing near to Ephesus, Miletus and Patmos, -three places dear to the memory of all Christians, those passages were read on deck, which relate particularly to the labors and piety of St. Paul and St. John, who were the honored instruments of turning many souls in this vicinity from their vanities to the service of the living God. Dec. 19. The heat oppressive. Thermometer at 72 in the cabin:-becalmed off Coos. Of Mr. Parsons's visit to Rhodes, Castello Rosso, Cyprus, and Jaffa, some account was given in our number above referred to. The following particulars of the journey from Baflo to Limesol, (places in Cyprus,) were not then published. In the morning Jan. 30th, set out for Limesol without a guard; for Christians travel with almost as much safety in Cyprus, as in Europe or America. Rode the whole day near to the seaside, through rich, but uncultivated, meadows. Saw large herds of swine, several flocks of sheep, and a few camels, horses and mules. The road was excessively muddy in consequence of the great rains. The mountains on our left were completely covered with snow. About 4 o'clock, P. M. there commenced a violent shower, which continued for two hours. Stopped a few minutes under a hovel to shelter ourselves from the rain. From this refuge we were obliged to retreat, as the rain beat upon us in every direction. At six, came to a small village upon the summit of a hill, where we designed to tarry for the night. Saw a man in the street, to whom we made known our requests: he replied, "Come with me; I have room, beds, and straw for the mules." We followed him till we came to a miserable hut, which he opened for our reception. There was VOL. XVIII. but one room, and this without windows, with a mud floor, and with a roof composed of bushes and mud. We had. however, no reason to complain, as it was probably the best the village afforded. Set out for Limesol early in the morning, and at six arrived at the house of the English consul, Mr. Frankoudi. By the way passed near the ruins of many churches; also through two villages, Episcopi and Colos. In these villages the inhabitants are Turks, but never molest travellers. The following entries are made under the head of Jaffa. Saturday morning, Feb, 10th, came to an anchor in the port of Jaffa, and terminated our long and dreary voyage to the Holy Land. The drago man of the English consul waited for me at the shore, and ordered all my baggage to pass without the usual taxes at the custom house. At the house of the English consul, found two English gentlemen, who had just returned from Jerusalem. They gave a most melancholy account of the Holy Land; and assured me, that there was no security from the attacks of robbers. One of the travellers was bound to Bombay, and I wrote a hasty letter to the missionaries there;—unwilling that so favorable an opportunity should pass unimproved. In the afternoon was introduced to the Russian consul, and with him walked into the country. The city is surrounded by a high wall, in a much better' state for defence, than the wall of the city of Rhodes. The market abounded with provisions of all kinds; the streets are wider than is usual for Turkey, and well paved. In the country, the objects which most attracted our attention were the mountains of Judea, and an extensive and apparently well cultivated plain. Passed the Sabbath at the house of the Russian consul, and the few tracts which I distributed were received with much satisfaction. Monday, Feb. 12. A violent storm commenced, which detained me at Jaffa till the Friday following. During this time I had an opportunity to distribute books in the Greek monastery, and to dispose of several Greek Testaments. The language here spoken by the inhabitants is Arabic; but in the churches the Scriptures are read in 3 Greek, Turkish, and Arabic, for the benefit of pilgrims. This fact is auspicious, and it is worthy of special notice, as the Greeks, in many places, strenuously oppose the introduction of other languages in their church service, resurrection from the dead, and a day of judgment. "Very well: but who are good men?" Those who love God with all the heart, and do his will. "Where is heaven?" Where the throne of God is. "But God is a spirit,—how can he have a throne?" His throne is spiritual, On the 16th of February Mr. P. left Jaffa like himself. Stephen, the first Chris for Jerusalem. Friday afternoon left Jaffa, having the interpreter of the Russian consul for a guide. The road, notwithstanding the great rain, was perfectly dry,winding through extensive fields of wheat and barley. There were numerous herds of cattle, and flocks of sheep and goats, feeding in every direction, under the superintendence of herdsmen and shepherds. Arrived at Rama, a little before sunset, and was invited to pass the night at the Greek monastery. The president, a man of more than common intelligence, has spent many years at Jerusalem, and is now stationed here to provide for pilgrims; all of whom pass a night or two at the monastery of Rama, on their way to the Holy City. The village of Rama is in the centre of an extended beautiful plain, containing three monasteries, one Greek church, and several mosques. At a little distance, on the north, is the village of Lydda, where Peter by a miracle restored to health "a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of a palsy." At the west are the ruins of a Greek monastery called “Forty Martyrs." There are several large churches completely under ground; and a steeple still remains, to the summit of which we ascended by 110 stone steps. In the evening several friends of the president came to see him, and conversation was directed to subjects of the first importance. We conversed in Greek; but the president interpreted sentence after sentence to his friends, who understood Arabic only. As I was the first man they had seen from the New World, they were anxious to hear some new thing. The inquiries and answers were much in the following order: "What are the sentiments of the Christians of America?" They believe that the Old and New Testaments are from heaven;-that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world;-that good men are happy after death, and wicked men miserable; that there will be a || tian martyr, saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Where Jesus was, there is heaven. "Where is hell?" Hell is the place, which God prepared for the devil and his angels. "When did the angels sin?" Before the world was created. "How do you know that?" When Adam was placed in the garden. Satan came to deceive and destroy him. "Will sinners suffer for ever in hell?" Certainly: for, saith our Savior, they shall go away into everlasting punishment. "What will be done with this world?" It will be burnt up, as the Scriptures testify. Considerable time passed in this man ner. There was perfect sience, except now and then they responded: "Ti-eep," It is well, The English consul at Jaffa had the goodness to procure for me a letter to the governor of Rama, soliciting a guard to accompany me to Jerusalem. But the president presented the letter to the governor, and made an apology for not accepting a guard, as I was already provided with an interpreter. Saturday morning at 6 o'clock, left Rama, rode three hours and a half through a beautiful plain, and from thence began to ascend the mountains || of Judea. The road became stony, narrow, and winding among high and barren mountains. Every few miles we were called upon for taxes; but in consequence of a letter from the Russian consul, we passed without any expense. At 12 o'clock came to the village of Aboo Gosh, who is noted for his oppression of the pilgrims. Aboo Gosh stood at the place of demanding custom, and said, "You have nothing to pay; you may pass when you please." He requested me to take some refreshment; but as there was a prospect of rain, I could not accept of his offer. Two hours from this, we came near to the place, where, it is said, David slew Goliah. We were shown also the house in which, tradition says, John the Baptist was born. The monastery near the spot belongs to the Catholics. From this we began to ascend a high mountain; and at 25 minutes past 4 o'clock my guide exclaimed, "Before leaving the city I must say, that, in many respects, my time has passed pleasantly, since my arrival at the Holy City. My health I think was never better for three months in succession. If I had been better furnished with Bibles and tracts, I might, by the divine blessing, have greatly extended my usefulness As it respects gaining and imparting information, this is indeed the centre of the world. The station must not be relinquished. The door is already open. Difficulties must be expected; but the good resulting from a mission established here will be an infinite reward. "May 8. Early this morning visited the Bishops, and took my leave of them. They said, "We wish to see you soon again in this city." Left the city at 6 o'clock by Jaffa gate. As I ascended the hill west of the city, I turned to take another view of the dearest spot on earth. The words of David were fresh in my mind, "If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his habitation." " DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN BOARD or COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. From Nov. 18th, to Dec. 17th, inclusive, 1821. Alfred and vicinity, N. Y. Fem. Char. Cent So. by the Rev. Thos. Andros, for Pal. mission, Boston, Ms. Mr. Isaac Clark, for ed. hea. chil. viz. one at Elliot, one at Mayhew, and one at Dwight, first payment, 2 00 23 88 100 00 United mon. con. for the Pal. miss. 116 37 From a char. box kept by Miss Betsey Witham, for do. A lady, for schools under the direction of the Palestine mission, A coll. at the Old South after the Boxborough, Ms. Ladies Asso. by Mrs. 5 00 50 00 241 28 10 25 8. 00 16 25 to make up the deficiency of their last ann. pay. of $50, by the Rev. R. S. Storrs, contributed by a lady, 3 50 Monthly concert in the Rev. Mr. Storrs's congregation, Branford, Ct. Hea. Sch. So, by Mr. Bridgewater, N, Y, Miss 21 50 11 00 Grace C. Brown, the amount to which she is entitled as an agent for the Herald, Brooks, Me. Mr. Joshua Perry, by Mr. N. Willis, $10 50 3 00 See also Angelica, &c. Alna, Me. Monthly con. by the Rev. Samuel Johnson, 150 Alstead, N. H. West par. mon. con. A coll. at the oratorio of the Lock- A number of students in the Theo. Sem. an offering for thanksgiving, by Mr. Cutler, Angelica, Alfred and Arkport, N. Y. 4 00 Byfield, Ms. Members of the Rev. Mr. Emerson's Seminary, for a child named JOSEPH EMERSON, 15 00 10 70 1 44 Cambria, Niag. co. N. Y. A friend of missions, by Mr. Goodell, Cambridge, Ms. First par. a friend of For. miss. by Dea. Wm. Hilliard, Carlisle, Pa. The Rev. Mr. Duffield, by Mr. Erastus Dean, for the Brainerd mission, 3 91 5 00 3 00 16 63 19 23 10 16 2.50 50 9.50 6 24 3 51 34 Ladies Heathen School Society, An individual, to make even dollars, Chelmsford, Ms. Hea. Sch. So. by Mrs. Lucy Byam, Tr. for Mayhew, 12 00 Chenango Point, N. Y. Mon. con. by the Rev. Benjamin Niles, Colchester, Ct. A friend of missions, by the Rev. Mr. Cone, Concord, Ms. Monthly concert, Proceeds of a small part of a garden, A ch. box at the meeting house, Cooperstown, N. Y. From a miss. box kept by Mrs. Campbell, by George Pomeroy, Esq. Cummington, Ms. Fem. Char. So. the remainder of their annual payment, Danvers, Ms. A small society of misses, the avails of their industry on Wednesday afternoons during the summer, by Miss Rebecca P. Osborn, for the Ceylon mission, Dedham, Ms. Ladies in the first chh. and cong. for adults and chil. in the Indian schools, 11 68 5.00 8.04 575 41 2 00 2.00 7 81 15 51 12.00 1 50 Fem. So by Mrs. Martha Bird, for Durham, N. Y. First Presb. cong. viz. Young Ladies Reading and Sewing Char. box kept by Clarissa S. Hart, Luke Howe, Esq. Keene, N. H. Mon. con. by the Rev. Z. S. Barstow, 10 00 5 20 A friend of missions, the avails of a small part of his garden, Kingsboro', N. Y. Mon. con. for Oct. and Nov. by Dea. Samuel Giles, Tr. Do. for December, Knoxville, Ten Mon. con. first Pres. chh. by the Rev. D. A. Sherman, Lebanon, N. H. Fem. Viss and Bible So. by Miss L. Hough, President, Lee, Ms. Avails of a miss. field, from Stephen Hurd, Superintendent, Do. from Samuel Sturges and Lyman Foot, Lenox, Ms. Fem. Cent So. by Miss Abigail Walker, Tr. 1 50 20 00 19 00 20 00 16 50 13 63 8 37 20 00 Mr. Judah Colt, A friend of missions, 12.00 350 Lewisburgh, Union co. Pa. Fem. Miss. Lewiston, N. Y. A coll. by Mr. Goodell, 7 50 45.00 1. 00 6 50 Fitchburg, Ms. Ladies, for hea. chil. by the Rev. William Eaton, Franklin, N. Y. A coll. by the Rev. Seth Williston, Frederick co. Va. A few of the members of an Episc. cong an addition to the don. of $12, published under "places unknown," in the Nov. Her. the whole for the support of a child at Elliot to be named GEORGE LEMMON, first annual payment, Fredericktown, Md. A lady of the Episc. cong. by Mr. John Johns, |